Chess Puzzle #0uJdM — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen e6; rooks c1/e1; bishop d6; knight g3; pawns a3/b2/f2/g2/h2. Black: king h8; queen c7; rooks d7/d8; knight d5; pawns a7/b7/c6/g7/h7. White is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxd6 — rook d7→d6, captures bishop. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qe8+ — queen e6→e8, gives check. Opponent replies Rxe8 (rook d8→e8, captures queen).
3. Best move: Rxe8# — rook e1→e8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, sacrifice, short. The combination ends with Rxe8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 3r3k/ppqr2pp/2pBQ3/3n4/8/P5N1/1P3PPP/2R1R1K1 b - - 0 25

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